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The Snap
Poppy Benjamin, Media Relations Director of Syracuse's storied NFL team, the Bobcats, fought tooth and nail for her career. Ever since her intern season fifteen years ago, it's been nothing but early mornings, late nights, barely dodged inappropriate advances, and relationships lost with boyfriends who didn't get it. That's why Poppy relies on the Women Against Groping Shitheads (WAGS), a support network that knows her far better than her own family. In-house counsel for an NBA team, a celebrated reporter—all the WAGS are high-ranking women in sports who need a release from the indignities and frustrations that come with navigating the ultimate boys’ club.
But on the same morning that Poppy’s legendary head coach is found dead in his home, five notes ordering members to "tell the truth or pay the consequences" hit the WAGS like 300-pound linebackers. Who's aware of the little group they've tried to keep under wraps, and what reason would they have to threaten it? As long-buried secrets are brought to light, Poppy is forced to revisit a dangerous mistake from the start of her career that puts everything she's built at risk.
But on the same morning that Poppy’s legendary head coach is found dead in his home, five notes ordering members to "tell the truth or pay the consequences" hit the WAGS like 300-pound linebackers. Who's aware of the little group they've tried to keep under wraps, and what reason would they have to threaten it? As long-buried secrets are brought to light, Poppy is forced to revisit a dangerous mistake from the start of her career that puts everything she's built at risk.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2024
21 people are currently reading
10780 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Staple
1 book68 followersElizabeth Staple is an attorney. Prior to law school, she worked in media relations for the New York Giants, New England Patriots, Frankfurt Galaxy, and Syracuse University Athletic Communications. She was a member of the NFL media relations staff at three Super Bowls, and has also worked in events for Madison Square Garden, the PGA, and the NCAA Men's March Madness tournament.
She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children. The Snap is her first novel.
She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children. The Snap is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
April 25, 2024
I stopped just past 3/4s complete. I DNF books that are likely to get a 2 or less from me. It's not that the whole book was bad. It's that it needs to be paired down and the fat needs to be cut. I am a sports/football fan so the lingo/jargon/sports talk didn't bother me at all, but I think it may be harder for non-sports inclined readers to understand all of it. I also found myself ask, "when are they going to get to it already" Doesn't really read like a thriller even though it has elements to be a thriller. It was more focused on relationship building, instead of building any suspense whatsoever. As the genre indicates, a thrill is what you should feel. I did not.
I did enjoy the women who made their little clique - and thought it was amazing how the author talked about being a woman in a male dominated work place
I did enjoy the women who made their little clique - and thought it was amazing how the author talked about being a woman in a male dominated work place
April 6, 2024
This book had an interesting premise and seemed promising but unfortunately did not deliver. It dragged on and lacked character development. I really wanted to love it but this one was a let down for me. Thanks you to NetGalley and DoubleDay Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2024
This novel captured me from the kick-off and held me till the touchdown ending. Sorry. Couldn’t resist. But, no kidding, I loved this book.
I’m a big fan of football and even though I was attending a basketball tournament when I read it, I was immersed in professional football when I was reading. Learning that the author is an attorney who once worked in media relations for several football franchises gave the story even more credibility. I can only hope the situations in this book are not based on her life experience.
What situations, you ask? Try putting a woman in a traditionally male environment, add some sexual tension, a locker room full of secrets, and a hushed-up murder—those situations. The plot unfolds by going back and forth between the protagonist’s present-day experience and her experience fifteen years ago. I am so impressed that debut author Elizabeth Staple pulled this tricky format off with such aplomb. And, kudos to her for creating complex, flawed, unpredictable, and interesting (read: non-stereotypical) characters.
Themes centered on a woman negotiating a “man’s world,” toxic workplaces, professional sports, the sacrifices and compromises a woman makes when she pursues a career, and women’s friendships. Staple brings a nuanced look at owning your decisions.
Many thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for an advance reading copy.
I’m a big fan of football and even though I was attending a basketball tournament when I read it, I was immersed in professional football when I was reading. Learning that the author is an attorney who once worked in media relations for several football franchises gave the story even more credibility. I can only hope the situations in this book are not based on her life experience.
What situations, you ask? Try putting a woman in a traditionally male environment, add some sexual tension, a locker room full of secrets, and a hushed-up murder—those situations. The plot unfolds by going back and forth between the protagonist’s present-day experience and her experience fifteen years ago. I am so impressed that debut author Elizabeth Staple pulled this tricky format off with such aplomb. And, kudos to her for creating complex, flawed, unpredictable, and interesting (read: non-stereotypical) characters.
Themes centered on a woman negotiating a “man’s world,” toxic workplaces, professional sports, the sacrifices and compromises a woman makes when she pursues a career, and women’s friendships. Staple brings a nuanced look at owning your decisions.
Many thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for an advance reading copy.
March 9, 2024
Poppy Benjamin, is the Media Relations Director of an NFL team. It's not an easy job for a woman and she leans on her other high profile female friends for support. When the group begins receiving threatening notes and some of their darkest secrets are uncovered, Poppy flashes back to when she first started working for the team.
Through a series of flashbacks we learn that her rise to the top was not easy and she may have a skeleton in her closet as well. Who is sending the notes? Can Poppy keep her job and her reputation? Does she deserve to?
Elizabeth Staple has a long and storied background in similar jobs and her expertise shows. I hope more novels are to follow ! It was an engrossing mystery about a topic I knew very little about. I loved the pacing and the detail and you will too!
#doubleday #thesnap #elizabethstaple
Through a series of flashbacks we learn that her rise to the top was not easy and she may have a skeleton in her closet as well. Who is sending the notes? Can Poppy keep her job and her reputation? Does she deserve to?
Elizabeth Staple has a long and storied background in similar jobs and her expertise shows. I hope more novels are to follow ! It was an engrossing mystery about a topic I knew very little about. I loved the pacing and the detail and you will too!
#doubleday #thesnap #elizabethstaple
May 3, 2024
At first glance, this book seemed tailor-made for me. Sports media and female friendship? Sign me up.
The blend of Hard Knocks meets Pretty Little Liars-style drama kept me engaged, especially with the dual timelines that gradually revealed Poppy's past. While the suspense was palpable, I found it hard to connect with Poppy. Despite her attempts at redemption, her actions felt like too little, too late.
Overall, The Snap was a quick and engaging read. Though it didn't entirely resonate with me, I think fans of sports and thrillers would enjoy its storyline and themes.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The blend of Hard Knocks meets Pretty Little Liars-style drama kept me engaged, especially with the dual timelines that gradually revealed Poppy's past. While the suspense was palpable, I found it hard to connect with Poppy. Despite her attempts at redemption, her actions felt like too little, too late.
Overall, The Snap was a quick and engaging read. Though it didn't entirely resonate with me, I think fans of sports and thrillers would enjoy its storyline and themes.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2024
So many of the elements mentioned in the synopsis for this one are right up my alley. I'd read about a woman working in the front office of a major league sports team in basically any genre.
And The Snap by Elizabeth Staple started off so strong. The Diet Coke scene made me laugh, which I almost never do while reading. The pacing felt just right - we'd switch to the other timeline right when I was ready. I was enjoying learning more about Poppy's current day-to-day working for the Bobcats (an NFL team in Syracuse), and what her early days on the job had been like.
But I'm afraid the plot fumbled and wasn't recovered. (Too much?) Flag on the play? I didn't love how the plot unfolded in the last third or so, and the characterization and pacing then didn't always make sense either. Ah well, YMMV! And I really did enjoy the first half.
Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for a free e-arc of this title for review.
And The Snap by Elizabeth Staple started off so strong. The Diet Coke scene made me laugh, which I almost never do while reading. The pacing felt just right - we'd switch to the other timeline right when I was ready. I was enjoying learning more about Poppy's current day-to-day working for the Bobcats (an NFL team in Syracuse), and what her early days on the job had been like.
But I'm afraid the plot fumbled and wasn't recovered. (Too much?) Flag on the play? I didn't love how the plot unfolded in the last third or so, and the characterization and pacing then didn't always make sense either. Ah well, YMMV! And I really did enjoy the first half.
Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for a free e-arc of this title for review.
March 25, 2024
We’re a football loving household so I wanted to learn more about this book. I was intrigued! The character development was excellent. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed the writing and this story line.
July 14, 2024
- poppy, the media relations director for a once-successful yet fading nfl team, must reckon with a decision she made early in her career when her team's coach turns up mysteriously dead and she and her friends receive threatening letters
- honestly really really cool to get a look at the corporate side of sports. elizabeth staple has work experience there so i assume to a certain extent she's writing from experience
- also a great depiction of what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated workplace and what happens when women do and do not support each other in such a space
- poppy was a great, complex character, and i loved turning over the decisions she made in my mind, wondering what the actual right decision was, if there was any at all
- my only complaint is that there was a bit too much going on for how short the book was. in particular, there were a number of characters whose relationships with poppy i wish we were given more detail on- instead it was just "me and demario are really close" or "red and i had a lot in common to talk about." a lot of the reveals at the end felt rushed as well.
- also the timelines were a little bit wonky to me- the present-day story takes place at the earliest in 2021 (something post-covid is mentioned), but in the past storyline, which is fifteen years prior, somebody is using a nokia brick cell phone but emojis are also mentioned (neither would have really been used in 2006-2009?). idk this is very minor but i get picky about that sort of thing.
**review of an arc i received via goodreads giveaways**
- honestly really really cool to get a look at the corporate side of sports. elizabeth staple has work experience there so i assume to a certain extent she's writing from experience
- also a great depiction of what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated workplace and what happens when women do and do not support each other in such a space
- poppy was a great, complex character, and i loved turning over the decisions she made in my mind, wondering what the actual right decision was, if there was any at all
- my only complaint is that there was a bit too much going on for how short the book was. in particular, there were a number of characters whose relationships with poppy i wish we were given more detail on- instead it was just "me and demario are really close" or "red and i had a lot in common to talk about." a lot of the reveals at the end felt rushed as well.
- also the timelines were a little bit wonky to me- the present-day story takes place at the earliest in 2021 (something post-covid is mentioned), but in the past storyline, which is fifteen years prior, somebody is using a nokia brick cell phone but emojis are also mentioned (neither would have really been used in 2006-2009?). idk this is very minor but i get picky about that sort of thing.
**review of an arc i received via goodreads giveaways**
September 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this murder mystery fiction debut set around the Pro Football world and told from the perspective of Poppy, a super fan whose worked her way up to the head of Media Relations Director for one of her favorite teams.
Her life gets turned upside down when the long time fav head coach turns up murdered and Poppy starts getting threatening notes telling her to confess or pay the consequences. With the help of her W.A.G.S. (Women Against Groping Shitheads) besties, Poppy works hard to uncover who is behind the notes and the murder not wanting to lose everything she's worked so hard for.
This book does such a great job peeling back the darker sides of pro sports and all the misogyny, sexism and harrassment that so many women involved with male pro athletes have to deal with. Not only the athletes though, but also the larger male-dominated sports industry as a whole, from agents, execs, coaches and more.
Great on audio too narrated by one of my favs, Frankie Corzo! Definitely worth a read/listen if you get a chance!
Her life gets turned upside down when the long time fav head coach turns up murdered and Poppy starts getting threatening notes telling her to confess or pay the consequences. With the help of her W.A.G.S. (Women Against Groping Shitheads) besties, Poppy works hard to uncover who is behind the notes and the murder not wanting to lose everything she's worked so hard for.
This book does such a great job peeling back the darker sides of pro sports and all the misogyny, sexism and harrassment that so many women involved with male pro athletes have to deal with. Not only the athletes though, but also the larger male-dominated sports industry as a whole, from agents, execs, coaches and more.
Great on audio too narrated by one of my favs, Frankie Corzo! Definitely worth a read/listen if you get a chance!
December 14, 2024
The ultimate boy's club vs WAGS... a decade and a half too late.
The issues in this book are very complex and started in a different time and society. It isn't easy in any aspect, but something didn't seem to flow in the book, at least for me. I had a hard time resonating with the characters.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
The issues in this book are very complex and started in a different time and society. It isn't easy in any aspect, but something didn't seem to flow in the book, at least for me. I had a hard time resonating with the characters.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
June 14, 2024
UHHHH!! WHEN I TELL YOU I AM SO EXCITED TO READ THIS BOOK I MEAN IT!!
(P.S. When I read It, Ill write an actual review)
xoxo,
Riah <3
(P.S. When I read It, Ill write an actual review)
xoxo,
Riah <3
August 15, 2024
This was so so fun and feels perfect for this end of brat summer, post Olympic Games moment as we head into football season. I wish there were much more books like this and hopefully Elizabeth ends up writing more. I didn’t know how much I needed a bad ass women x high stakes sports x mystery genre.
Highly recommend this book for football and non football fans alike! (but especially for haters of the patriots)
Highly recommend this book for football and non football fans alike! (but especially for haters of the patriots)
September 6, 2024
This book was such a letdown. Finding out the author is an attorney makes sense as to why the writing felt stunted. It was most definitely…a debut. I was excited to read this because of the football elements and that fell extremely flat in my opinion, which is surprising because the author also worked as media relations staff at three Super Bowls. Where was all of this experience in the book???
The mystery was extremely boring and flat. Poppy the main character was fine but all of the women in the story blended in with one another. All in all the concept was great but it was just not executed in the right way. I should have DNF’d this book 60% of the way in but I didn’t because I wanted to know who committed the crime. But even that wasn’t worth finishing.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
The mystery was extremely boring and flat. Poppy the main character was fine but all of the women in the story blended in with one another. All in all the concept was great but it was just not executed in the right way. I should have DNF’d this book 60% of the way in but I didn’t because I wanted to know who committed the crime. But even that wasn’t worth finishing.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2024
Thank you Doubleday Books for the #gifted ARC and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy of The Snap! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #PRHPartner #doubledaybooks #TheSnap #ElizabethStaple
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐞
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐂���𝐫𝐳𝐨
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
4.5★
I’m a huge football fan so I knew as soon as I read the description for this one that I had to read it. I loved following along as we learned about Poppy Benjamin and her journey as the Media Relations Director for a NFL team. Poppy has fought to get where she is today in a male dominated industry. Poppy relies on her secret support network, the WAGS, to navigate the industry. On the morning when Poppy’s legendary head coach is found dead in his home, five notes ordering members to tell the truth or pay the consequences are sent to the WAGS. Who is aware of her secret support network and why are they trying to threaten it? The Snap is told in past and present timelines. I thought the author did a great job setting the stage for what women in sports deal with in a male dominated industry. Based on the authors previous work history in sports, I feel like she was able to use her own personal experience to be able to write this book, which definitely helped to make this book feel more authentic.
Overall, this book was a great read and I definitely threw this one. I really look forward to reading whatever this author writes next!
🎧I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Frankie Corzo. I love Corzo and feel like she was so perfect for this one. She truly elevated my listening experience and felt like she was truly so dynamic. I highly recommend this one on audio!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐞
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐂���𝐫𝐳𝐨
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
4.5★
I’m a huge football fan so I knew as soon as I read the description for this one that I had to read it. I loved following along as we learned about Poppy Benjamin and her journey as the Media Relations Director for a NFL team. Poppy has fought to get where she is today in a male dominated industry. Poppy relies on her secret support network, the WAGS, to navigate the industry. On the morning when Poppy’s legendary head coach is found dead in his home, five notes ordering members to tell the truth or pay the consequences are sent to the WAGS. Who is aware of her secret support network and why are they trying to threaten it? The Snap is told in past and present timelines. I thought the author did a great job setting the stage for what women in sports deal with in a male dominated industry. Based on the authors previous work history in sports, I feel like she was able to use her own personal experience to be able to write this book, which definitely helped to make this book feel more authentic.
Overall, this book was a great read and I definitely threw this one. I really look forward to reading whatever this author writes next!
🎧I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Frankie Corzo. I love Corzo and feel like she was so perfect for this one. She truly elevated my listening experience and felt like she was truly so dynamic. I highly recommend this one on audio!
August 13, 2024
The main character of this novel, Poppy, is the media relations director for a (fictional) NFL team. At the start of this book, the head coach of the team is found dead - and the next morning Poppy receives a note that says to tell the truth or face the consequences. The book alternates between the present day in the aftermath of the death, and 15 years prior when Poppy was a brand new intern working for the team.
Based on that set up, I assumed this was going to be a mystery and/or thriller, but despite undertones of mystery through the book of what happened to the coach and who sent the note, I’d say that really this book isn’t primarily a mystery. Rather, it’s more a book about the difficulties of being a woman in a male-dominated field, the ways women can both lift each other up and undermine each other, Me Too, and more. I really enjoyed it and it made me think.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 8/13/24); all opinions are my own.
Based on that set up, I assumed this was going to be a mystery and/or thriller, but despite undertones of mystery through the book of what happened to the coach and who sent the note, I’d say that really this book isn’t primarily a mystery. Rather, it’s more a book about the difficulties of being a woman in a male-dominated field, the ways women can both lift each other up and undermine each other, Me Too, and more. I really enjoyed it and it made me think.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 8/13/24); all opinions are my own.
August 11, 2024
As a woman in sports, it was so nice to see a fiction nov written about focused around women in this very male-dominated and sexist industry.
I would recommend this book to my fellow women in sports - to those in all stages of their career. A lot of this will hit home for so many.
I didn’t find Poppy very likable - she always seemed to be this naive woman dealing with her own demons while being a being a guilt ridden hypocrite because of the decisions of her past. I also didn’t like how she treated her family, particularly her mom. Poppy seemed to have this holier than thou attitude around a lot of the women in her life.
I would recommend this book to my fellow women in sports - to those in all stages of their career. A lot of this will hit home for so many.
I didn’t find Poppy very likable - she always seemed to be this naive woman dealing with her own demons while being a being a guilt ridden hypocrite because of the decisions of her past. I also didn’t like how she treated her family, particularly her mom. Poppy seemed to have this holier than thou attitude around a lot of the women in her life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2024
first of all, I had to testify in court for work this week while reading this and it had great pointers on how to talk in front of people. it was a weird cosmic connection that I thought was incredible.
but mostly, the dual timelines HAD ME HUNGRY for more. the education and attempt to understand sexual assault in the workplace, ESPECIALLY when it comes to athletes and those in power was really something important and I really appreciated.
the mystery got me and it was a great, heart-wrenching thriller.
but mostly, the dual timelines HAD ME HUNGRY for more. the education and attempt to understand sexual assault in the workplace, ESPECIALLY when it comes to athletes and those in power was really something important and I really appreciated.
the mystery got me and it was a great, heart-wrenching thriller.
August 20, 2025
I was really excited for this but it ended up being unsatisfying. I hope this author writes another book, I'd be willing to try it.
March 18, 2024
Mixed emotions about this book. The first half started out as a blockbuster. In the second half, the author fumbled in the red zone and never recovered. Too bad. It had such potential
March 15, 2023
So excited to read this!!!
March 16, 2023
This is going to be SUCH a good read, I already know it!
March 19, 2023
Very intrigued by this :eyes:
April 11, 2023
This book sounds great! I can’t wait to read it! What an interesting premise
April 11, 2023
Anxious for book to be available to read !
May 20, 2024
I received a copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
I know very little about sports, but this book about a media relations director dealing with her coach's sudden death managed to not lose me in all the sports details. Despite how it managed to set up the grueling work environment convincingly, the characters seemed underdeveloped, and the back half felt like it spiraled out of control to an unsatisfying ending. The narrator is Poppy, who started off as an intern in media relations for the Bobcats fifteen years before the present day, and has since worked herself up to media relations director. The team coach, Red Guillory, is found dead under mysterious circumstances, and soon after, Poppy and her friend group of women in sports, who all have to suffer through the sexism of a very male-dominated industry, start getting mysterious threatening notes. The book jumps back and forth between the present day and fifteen years ago, when Poppy started with the Bobcats. I thought the book did a good job of establishing the environment Poppy and other women have to work in when they join the world of sports, where things were even worse years ago at the start of her career. There seemed to be too many characters in the book for its length, though, so it never felt like anyone was particularly well-developed, and everyone's just sort of a caricature or simply defined by their job function. As more secrets are revealed, the book felt like it was getting more and more out of control, and a bunch of stuff gets introduced like Poppy's family or her past relationship that don't really get fleshed out. Poppy, as the narrator, doesn't reveal some secrets from the past until late into the book, and I just could not get past her behavior. Sure, she was young and naive, but what she did was really terrible and unforgivable even given that, so at that point I completely lost any sympathy for the single narrator of the book. When we find out the identity of the sender of the notes, it felt anticlimactic, as someone just reveals the sender's identity in a conversation, and we don't even see what happens to the culprit. The book doesn't end there, though, as the truth behind the coach's death gets revealed, but that also felt unsatisfying, as it more or less gets swept under the rug after Poppy pieces it together. She then attempts a weak form of atonement at the very end by going after someone unrelated to the murder, instead of holding herself accountable for the terrible things she did in the past. On the plus side, the technical football stuff felt realistic and well-researched, and the book does a decent job of building up tension and suspense. But the plot and character development were really unsatisfying.
I know very little about sports, but this book about a media relations director dealing with her coach's sudden death managed to not lose me in all the sports details. Despite how it managed to set up the grueling work environment convincingly, the characters seemed underdeveloped, and the back half felt like it spiraled out of control to an unsatisfying ending. The narrator is Poppy, who started off as an intern in media relations for the Bobcats fifteen years before the present day, and has since worked herself up to media relations director. The team coach, Red Guillory, is found dead under mysterious circumstances, and soon after, Poppy and her friend group of women in sports, who all have to suffer through the sexism of a very male-dominated industry, start getting mysterious threatening notes. The book jumps back and forth between the present day and fifteen years ago, when Poppy started with the Bobcats. I thought the book did a good job of establishing the environment Poppy and other women have to work in when they join the world of sports, where things were even worse years ago at the start of her career. There seemed to be too many characters in the book for its length, though, so it never felt like anyone was particularly well-developed, and everyone's just sort of a caricature or simply defined by their job function. As more secrets are revealed, the book felt like it was getting more and more out of control, and a bunch of stuff gets introduced like Poppy's family or her past relationship that don't really get fleshed out. Poppy, as the narrator, doesn't reveal some secrets from the past until late into the book, and I just could not get past her behavior. Sure, she was young and naive, but what she did was really terrible and unforgivable even given that, so at that point I completely lost any sympathy for the single narrator of the book. When we find out the identity of the sender of the notes, it felt anticlimactic, as someone just reveals the sender's identity in a conversation, and we don't even see what happens to the culprit. The book doesn't end there, though, as the truth behind the coach's death gets revealed, but that also felt unsatisfying, as it more or less gets swept under the rug after Poppy pieces it together. She then attempts a weak form of atonement at the very end by going after someone unrelated to the murder, instead of holding herself accountable for the terrible things she did in the past. On the plus side, the technical football stuff felt realistic and well-researched, and the book does a decent job of building up tension and suspense. But the plot and character development were really unsatisfying.
August 31, 2024
I wanted to like this more than I did. An interesting premise/setting for the mystery: an NFL team. I've enjoyed football much of my life and thought this would give a good perspective of some behind the scenes action. And wow did it ever.
I've been lamenting a writing technique or style in some of the books I've read recently in which you bounce back and forth in time. I will admit that sometimes it does work, though right now I can't think of an example. However, I felt like this book didn't need to be written that way. Many of the "15 years ago" chapters weren't necessary, didn't advance the story and could have been written into present day chapters either using flashbacks or having the character remember those times or talk about something specific and important with a friend or trusted coworker.
As a result, those dips into the past seemed to drag down the action in present day until we get about 2/3 through the book and spend more time now.
Ok, let me get into the plot itself(!) and stop moaning about techniques :-). Poppy is a media relations director of Syracuse's NFL team, the Bobcats. She joined as an intern 15 years ago and those flashback chapters weren't necessary to tell us that her work environment was filled with misogyny and behavior that could border on sexual inappropriateness. As one of the few women there, she was eager to prove herself and fit in, even if that meant glossing over that inappropriate behavior so that she could be seen as "one of the guys".
It worked as she is now Director of the department and works closely with the coach and GM of the team. However, one morning at the start of the season, her coach, Red, is found murdered and five anonymous letters have been delivered to her small group of friends, confidantes and support team, all who work in the sports industry. The notes instruct each to "tell the truth of pay the consequences". Each of these women has a secret that, if it were to come out would destroy their careers and possibly their families and other relationships.
The women scramble to try to figure out who, and also to figure out if Red's death is the start of what would be a string of consequences for each of them.
I struggled with the book through the first half or even more as it didn't seem to advance any particular storyline. I thought it improved greatly at about the 2/3 mark and while there weren't any surprises at the end, it was a relatively satisfying conclusion.
I've been lamenting a writing technique or style in some of the books I've read recently in which you bounce back and forth in time. I will admit that sometimes it does work, though right now I can't think of an example. However, I felt like this book didn't need to be written that way. Many of the "15 years ago" chapters weren't necessary, didn't advance the story and could have been written into present day chapters either using flashbacks or having the character remember those times or talk about something specific and important with a friend or trusted coworker.
As a result, those dips into the past seemed to drag down the action in present day until we get about 2/3 through the book and spend more time now.
Ok, let me get into the plot itself(!) and stop moaning about techniques :-). Poppy is a media relations director of Syracuse's NFL team, the Bobcats. She joined as an intern 15 years ago and those flashback chapters weren't necessary to tell us that her work environment was filled with misogyny and behavior that could border on sexual inappropriateness. As one of the few women there, she was eager to prove herself and fit in, even if that meant glossing over that inappropriate behavior so that she could be seen as "one of the guys".
It worked as she is now Director of the department and works closely with the coach and GM of the team. However, one morning at the start of the season, her coach, Red, is found murdered and five anonymous letters have been delivered to her small group of friends, confidantes and support team, all who work in the sports industry. The notes instruct each to "tell the truth of pay the consequences". Each of these women has a secret that, if it were to come out would destroy their careers and possibly their families and other relationships.
The women scramble to try to figure out who, and also to figure out if Red's death is the start of what would be a string of consequences for each of them.
I struggled with the book through the first half or even more as it didn't seem to advance any particular storyline. I thought it improved greatly at about the 2/3 mark and while there weren't any surprises at the end, it was a relatively satisfying conclusion.
August 8, 2024
The Snap by Elizabeth Staple is a book about a private support group of women suffering from working in a male dominated workforce. Unfortunately you don’t find this out until much further in the book Poppy Benjamin is the head media coordinator for a NFL team who just lost their head coach due to suspicious circumstances on the same day she receives a note saying I know what you did and you have five days to fix it… Or something like that she learns she isn’t the only one who received the note but again this happens much later in the book if you don’t like football talk women whining about working with men in male-dominated fields, an antisocial protagonist and books about friendship then you may not like this one. I didn’t find this to be a thriller at all.
They do have thriller elements to it and it is a well written story but I didn’t find myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened because basically what happens as we watch her in dual timelines which is confusing because in both timelines she works for the football team won as an intern and one as the head media coordinator so you really had to pay close attention to know which timeline she was in because it’s at the same place with basically the same people once it got in to her going to the support group the book does pick up, but again I do think you’ll only like it if you like a literary fiction book because this isn’t the most thrilling mystery. I mean in the beginning of the book she couldn’t even remember any wrong she had done that she had to redeem herself for. They do have interesting characters in the book but there’s also a lot of them so if this sounds like something you would enjoy do read it I didn’t find it a horrible book I just didn’t find it that thrilling. #NetGalley,#Double day books, #ElizabethStaples, #TheSnap
They do have thriller elements to it and it is a well written story but I didn’t find myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened because basically what happens as we watch her in dual timelines which is confusing because in both timelines she works for the football team won as an intern and one as the head media coordinator so you really had to pay close attention to know which timeline she was in because it’s at the same place with basically the same people once it got in to her going to the support group the book does pick up, but again I do think you’ll only like it if you like a literary fiction book because this isn’t the most thrilling mystery. I mean in the beginning of the book she couldn’t even remember any wrong she had done that she had to redeem herself for. They do have interesting characters in the book but there’s also a lot of them so if this sounds like something you would enjoy do read it I didn’t find it a horrible book I just didn’t find it that thrilling. #NetGalley,#Double day books, #ElizabethStaples, #TheSnap
August 10, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.
So, what's it like to work for an NFL team? More importantly, what was it like fifteen years ago, when you were newly out of college and hired as an intern in the sport that had ruled your life all your life? Poppie Benjamin knows. Because she WAS that girl and she is now the Media Relations Director for the Syracuse Bobcats of the NFL. But how did she get that job? What did she have to do to earn it? And is she still paying the price?
Over the course of the past fifteen years, Poppie has become a part of a group of women, Women Against Groping Shitheads, or WAGS, who are similarly situated in the "man's world" of sports. These women are powerful and have big jobs. And all of them have paid a price for that.
The book alternates between NOW and FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. Both seasons are big ones for the Bobcats. Fifteen years ago, they went undefeated through the Super Bowl and Poppie, as an intern in the Media Relations department was there for all of it. The good, the bad, AND the ugly. This year, the team is faltering as never before. The coach, the legendary Red Guillory, who in his first season took them to that Super Bowl win and the perfect season, is not the coach he used to be. And a lot of the stars seem to be past their prime, too.
Then Red dies, or is murdered, and everything changes. Poppie, who had a good relationship with the coach, mainly because they started at the same time and have lived this cycle together, also has mixed feelings about him. There was an "incident" that first year, and she still isn't completely over it, but she, and the team, and the coach have moved on.
But when the murder investigation seems to be possibly uncovering secrets from the past, and the past may be repeating itself, the wounds suddenly open up and Poppie begins to see everyone in a different light.
So, what's it like to work for an NFL team? More importantly, what was it like fifteen years ago, when you were newly out of college and hired as an intern in the sport that had ruled your life all your life? Poppie Benjamin knows. Because she WAS that girl and she is now the Media Relations Director for the Syracuse Bobcats of the NFL. But how did she get that job? What did she have to do to earn it? And is she still paying the price?
Over the course of the past fifteen years, Poppie has become a part of a group of women, Women Against Groping Shitheads, or WAGS, who are similarly situated in the "man's world" of sports. These women are powerful and have big jobs. And all of them have paid a price for that.
The book alternates between NOW and FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. Both seasons are big ones for the Bobcats. Fifteen years ago, they went undefeated through the Super Bowl and Poppie, as an intern in the Media Relations department was there for all of it. The good, the bad, AND the ugly. This year, the team is faltering as never before. The coach, the legendary Red Guillory, who in his first season took them to that Super Bowl win and the perfect season, is not the coach he used to be. And a lot of the stars seem to be past their prime, too.
Then Red dies, or is murdered, and everything changes. Poppie, who had a good relationship with the coach, mainly because they started at the same time and have lived this cycle together, also has mixed feelings about him. There was an "incident" that first year, and she still isn't completely over it, but she, and the team, and the coach have moved on.
But when the murder investigation seems to be possibly uncovering secrets from the past, and the past may be repeating itself, the wounds suddenly open up and Poppie begins to see everyone in a different light.
July 27, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
In “The Snap,” Elizabeth Staple dives headfirst into the high-stakes world of professional football, where ambition clashes with secrets, and women navigate a male-dominated industry. Brace yourself for a heart-pounding sprint through sacrifice, friendship, and the price of success.
Poppy Benjamin, the media relations director for the Syracuse Bobcats, has fought relentlessly for her career. Fifteen years ago, she was an intern, clutching coffee cups to fend off inappropriate advances. Now, she’s one of the few powerful women in the NFL. But when Coach Red Guillory dies, Poppy’s world unravels. A mysterious note threatens her with consequences unless she tells the truth within five days. As she races against time, memories collide, and Poppy grapples with the price she’s paid to climb the ranks.
“The Snap” buzzes with frustration and echoes the bone-crunching collisions on the football field. Staple weaves moral dilemmas into a no-holds-barred exploration of ambition and sacrifice. Poppy’s journey—from intern to seasoned professional—reveals the dark side of success. The doubts, the thrill, and the game’s relentless pace keep readers hooked. Are we allowed to enjoy this rollercoaster? Staple asks, and the answer lies in the pages of her electrifying novel.
“The Snap” is an endorphin-fueled sprint that tackles injustice, camaraderie, and the choices we make.
In “The Snap,” Elizabeth Staple dives headfirst into the high-stakes world of professional football, where ambition clashes with secrets, and women navigate a male-dominated industry. Brace yourself for a heart-pounding sprint through sacrifice, friendship, and the price of success.
Poppy Benjamin, the media relations director for the Syracuse Bobcats, has fought relentlessly for her career. Fifteen years ago, she was an intern, clutching coffee cups to fend off inappropriate advances. Now, she’s one of the few powerful women in the NFL. But when Coach Red Guillory dies, Poppy’s world unravels. A mysterious note threatens her with consequences unless she tells the truth within five days. As she races against time, memories collide, and Poppy grapples with the price she’s paid to climb the ranks.
“The Snap” buzzes with frustration and echoes the bone-crunching collisions on the football field. Staple weaves moral dilemmas into a no-holds-barred exploration of ambition and sacrifice. Poppy’s journey—from intern to seasoned professional—reveals the dark side of success. The doubts, the thrill, and the game’s relentless pace keep readers hooked. Are we allowed to enjoy this rollercoaster? Staple asks, and the answer lies in the pages of her electrifying novel.
“The Snap” is an endorphin-fueled sprint that tackles injustice, camaraderie, and the choices we make.
August 14, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Elizabeth Staple. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
Poppy Benjamin is working her dream job as Media Relations Director of Syracuse's NFL team, the Bobcats. But nothing came easy for her as a woman in a man's world. Ever since she started as an intern, she's worked long hours, given up relationships and family events, and dodged inappropriate advances. She has a group of five female friends also working in the sports field that allow for support. They've dubbed themselves the WAGS (and it's not Wives and Girlfriends). But when the Bobcats legendary coach is found dead, the WAGS members all receive threatening notes. Who knows about their group and their secrets?
I loved this book! It's a fascinating peek inside the NFL world from an author who's been there. It's a look at how difficult it is for a woman to make it in this male-dominated world, and just how important female friendships can be. It also shows how dangerous it can be to ignore or excuse situations in the workplace that make us uncomfortable. There are two timelines - the year when Poppy began her career as an intern with the Bobcats to now, 15 years later, when Red is dead. It's a twisty mystery as to how Red died and who is sending the WAGS the notes, threatening to expose their secrets. Fabulous debut - and Go Browns!
Poppy Benjamin is working her dream job as Media Relations Director of Syracuse's NFL team, the Bobcats. But nothing came easy for her as a woman in a man's world. Ever since she started as an intern, she's worked long hours, given up relationships and family events, and dodged inappropriate advances. She has a group of five female friends also working in the sports field that allow for support. They've dubbed themselves the WAGS (and it's not Wives and Girlfriends). But when the Bobcats legendary coach is found dead, the WAGS members all receive threatening notes. Who knows about their group and their secrets?
I loved this book! It's a fascinating peek inside the NFL world from an author who's been there. It's a look at how difficult it is for a woman to make it in this male-dominated world, and just how important female friendships can be. It also shows how dangerous it can be to ignore or excuse situations in the workplace that make us uncomfortable. There are two timelines - the year when Poppy began her career as an intern with the Bobcats to now, 15 years later, when Red is dead. It's a twisty mystery as to how Red died and who is sending the WAGS the notes, threatening to expose their secrets. Fabulous debut - and Go Browns!
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